Spring 2026 Winner of the Crowder Law Firm Scholarship

Alexa Ramirez

Alexa is an advertising major at the University of Texas at Austin. As the child of immigrants, Alexa understands the sacrifices made to achieve the American Dream. We are confident that Alexa’s resilience and hard work will lead her to a successful future. Congratulations!

Read Their Essay Here:

Everybody's definition of the American Dream is different. For some, it is becoming a homeowner for the first time. For others, it is starting a family or building a career they are proud of. For many immigrants, the American Dream can be as simple and powerful as touching the grounds of the United States and knowing that a better future is possible. To me, the American Dream is deeply personal. It is not just my dream, but the continuation of my parents’ dream. My immigrant mother and father are the reason I am here, and everything I work toward is rooted in the sacrifices they made so that I could have opportunities they never did.

My father is from El Salvador, and my mother is from Mexico. Texas is where I was born, and my childhood in both cultures influenced every aspect of my identity. Spanish was my first language, which helped me learn how to simultaneously navigate two different worlds at a young age. Not in a way that ever felt wrong, but in a way that made me adaptable and proud. I often felt more a part of my Mexican heritage because my mother has always been more vocal about her family and culture. Every other winter, we would visit Mexico, where I experienced the love of my huge Hispanic family. It's an everlasting, warm, and loud kind of love. At the same time, my father, as mysterious as he wants to be, showed me the beauty and strength of Salvadorian culture. I came to appreciate that aspect of myself similarly.

For a long time, I struggled with feeling like I was not enough of anything. Despite being born in Texas, I didn't always feel like a true American. Although I was raised Hispanic, there were moments when I questioned whether I could truly claim it. I believe that a lot of people are hesitant to embrace their culture because they believe they are unworthy of being a part of it. That's how I used to feel. Over time, I learned that you do not need to be one hundred percent of any background to declare it. All you need to do is take pride in it. I feel very proud now. I describe the American Dream primarily in terms of that pride. Being free to be who you truly are without having to erase any aspect of your origins.

My understanding of opportunity and thankfulness has also been greatly influenced by my faith. "Gracias a Dios" is a phrase from my culture that always makes me feel at home. My mother says that for everything. One of the most significant values in my family when I was growing up was religion. Every Sunday, I got ready for church, throughout my life I completed my sacraments, and prayed both in the morning and at night. At the time, it sometimes felt like something I had to do rather than something I truly understood. Every time my mother left the house, I would watch her read the Bible outside of church and bless the Christ image on our wall. It seemed normal, even expected.

I didn't really grasp the significance of the expression until I arrived at the University of Texas at Austin. Seeing this school and realizing what a blessing it is to be here changed my perspective completely. I became aware of how much I had been taking for granted. I now say "Gracias a Dios" with purpose. I have a wonderful family, thank God. I am fortunate to have friends who truly care about me. Thanks to God, I attend an amazing school. Thanks to God, I am able to be here and make my parents feel proud of me. I always think of home when I say it and how much of my dream has become a reality.

The American Dream is often described as something anyone can achieve, but the reality is that it comes with challenges, especially for students balancing education and financial responsibility. I put a lot of effort into supporting myself as a student at UT Austin while juggling accommodation, textbooks, groceries, and other daily costs. I currently put about sixteen hours a week at work to pay for necessities, particularly rent, and I carefully consider every expense. The growing cost of living and educational fees remain challenging despite this effort. Sometimes I can't fully participate in school events or take advantage of even more extracurricular opportunities because I have to work to satisfy basic needs.

There are limits to the amount of assistance my family can provide. My dad lost his job this past summer, and things got really tough financially. I make every effort to manage independently so that I don't become an extra burden, but my parents do everything in their power to help me. I don't want my family to be concerned about my well-being because they are also helping my older brother at Texas Tech University. I've learned from these experiences that you don't just get the American Dream. It is built through sacrifice, responsibility, and resilience.

Despite these difficulties, I feel like I belong at UT. The size of the university made me hesitant to commit when I initially went as a senior in high school. I was concerned about getting lost in the crowd. However, upon entering Moody, I witnessed sincere concern and support for individuals from diverse backgrounds. I felt visible and safe because of that sense of community. Looking back as a sophomore, I am immensely appreciative to be a part of a university that embraces my culture and experiences while still attempting to understand me. UT is more than just a school or program. It feels like home because of the people there. While here I have also come across many different stories. Stories of people that help me be even more proud of where I am today.

So, do I believe the American Dream is attainable today, but only if we allow it to look different for everyone. The American Dream, in my opinion, is carrying on the path my parents began when they arrived in this nation with hope and determination. It is working hard, remaining appreciative, and never forgetting my roots in order to honor their sacrifices. It is knowing that their dream continues through me while standing on a campus they could only dream of.

If I were to get this scholarship, it would support me in pursuing my version of the American Dream, which is based on pride, resiliency, family, and faith. I carry their dream with me every step of the way, and everything I do is for the individuals who made it possible for me to be here.